The Wustification of America

Sounds like a rip-off/rehash of Ann Douglas' Feminization of America only more insulting to both men and women.

That kind of taunting works best on the insecure. It reminds me how the boilerroom brokers work: "You have to ask your wife if you can invest your savings with us? What are you, a wuss?"

Is paying attention in class a bad thing?

More stories of boys getting suspended for bringing a soldier doll to school? I haven't heard one yet.

 

What have the church leaders done to try and correct this horrible "wusification of America", I mean besides teaching everyone not to resist evil? If this is really evil then we should meet it head on look it square in the eye then submit, right?

 

We can take the offensive word out of the debate but that does not address the problem. Men and women, boys and girls are very different and there is a huge problem with the feminization of men and boys not only in America but in the world.

What are the causes of this problem? I don’t think anyone has set out to destroy young men but the two biggest root causes seem evident to me: a growth of single parent families where the father is absent and a state educational system made up of predominantly female educators. Another part of the problem is the lack of outdoor time.

Richard Louv has a great book out called, Last Child in the Woods : Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder. He has a great deal of evidence linking a lack of outdoor adventure to ADD and other behavioral problems in boys. I would recommend this book to anyone involved with youth. You can get it from Amazon for less than $20.

Zero tolerance for weapons in schools? Yes I think this can be carried too far and has been in many cases. I have read stories of kids being suspended for toy guns and nail clippers. We need some common sense on this issue. I remember my grandfather telling me that a boy or man without a pocket knife in his pocket is not properly dressed. It was as important as a belt or hat. There is a knife in my pocket right now and has been every day since I was about 8. The only time I take it out is when I have to fly and then I put it in my suitcase. I have never stabbed anyone. Boys should be allowed to carry pocket knives and they should be allowed to play with toy guns until they are old enough to learn how to use real ones. It is a part of being boys and growing into men.

What is the solution to this problem? Boys need men in their lives. Fathers who are active in their boys lives is the best solution. Male teachers can help. So can uncles and grandfathers. So can female teachers who recognize that boys and girls are different. All children, boys and girls need more time outside. They need to go hunting and fishing and camping. They need to get dirty and hot and tired.

The last thing we need are more sensitive men. What we need are men with the strength of character and moral courage to stand for what is right in a world that is going wrong.

 

:laugh:

Perfect avatar for you, Poncho.:thumbs:

 

Scarlett asked:

That is a really good question. Can’t we be sensitive to other peoples needs and still make the hard decisions? I guess it depends on your definition of sensitivity. Can you be sensitive and still make that decision that causes pain for someone else? The clearest example I can think of would be a military situation. I can be sensitive to my enemy. I can understand the reasons he opposes me on a field of combat. I can understand the politics and policies that have caused our situation. And yet I can still end his life without a moment of hesitation or remorse. I would still consider myself sensitive to his needs even though I killed him. Would you? I would be sensitive yet still maintain the moral courage to do what is right. When I talk about strength of character and moral courage I am talking about the ability to do what is right even when a majority of people disagree with you, even when it causes pain and suffering for other people or yourself. You can do this and still be sensitive. I think Kipling said it well in IF:

 

Scarlett, I am in complete agreement with you. These are not mutually exclusive attributes. I think that one can be sensitive to the needs of others while possessing moral courage and strength of character. In fact, if one doesn't have balance of empathy and resolve, bad decisions and actions can result.